Attachments
Introduction:
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed to guide UNICEF Sudan country office, Sudan PSEA Network, UN agencies and their partners that wish to engage a member of the Sudan PSEA Inter-Agency pool of investigators to assist the organization to conduct an investigation into an allegation of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). It is designed to build the capacity of 25 members of the national organization that may lack sufficient in-house capacity to conduct their own investigations. UNICEF may wish to participate in the pool only to offer assistance, but not engage an investigator from the pool.
Scope:
This document is intended to guide the process of engaging an investigator only – it does not provide guidance or minimum standards regarding conducting an investigation and the procedures that should be in place. UNICEF Sudan office is leading the process of training the members of the Sudan PSEA Inter-Agency investigation pool through the UNICEF Regional Office.
3. What is the Sudan PSEA Inter-Agency pool of investigators?
The Sudan PSEA Inter-agency pool of investigators is a group of 25 individuals who will be trained by the UNICEF Regional Office in December 2022 to conduct an investigation into an allegation of SEA in Sudan. Each of the individuals trained received a certificate upon completion and demonstrated their capacity to plan an investigation, conduct interviews with witnesses, maintain confidentiality, and draft an investigation report. 2 Before the start of the training workshop, training participants will express their interest to join the PSEA Sudan pool of investigators and will have their consent to have their information shared and to be deployed to assist Sudan humanitarian actors upon request. All participants in the pool commit to continual learning, including participation in any refresher training as well as a community of practice that may be coordinated by the Sudan PSEA Network Coordinator and UNICEF PSEA team and other actors.
4. When can a member of the Sudan PSEA Inter-Agency Pool of Investigators engage in an investigation?
A member can engage an investigator from the pool when:
1. There is sufficient information indicating that the organization should conduct an investigation and a decision has been made by the organization’s senior management, following internal complaints handling procedures, to conduct an investigation, OR